Veteran Jewish fashion guru Iris Apfel has been immortalised in the most fashion-friendly way possible: as a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll.

The 96-year-old fashionista, who was listed as one of The Guardian’s 50 "Best-Dressed over 50" in 2013, began her life in fashion as a young woman working on Women’s Wear Daily.

She has, for the past half-century been almost ubiquitous at fashion shows and in glossy magazine diary pages with her signature exuberant style and porthole glasses.

The doll will not be available for sale, but later this year, Mattel plan to release a Barbie inspired by Apfel’s style, which is promised to feature her signature spectacles and accessories from her own Rara Avis collection.

Earlier this month, a special series of Barbie "Sheroes" was launched to tie in with International Women’s Day. The range featured dolls based on iconic women from history such as Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart and mathematician Katherine Johnson.